From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

"Damn, I spent 60 dollars for this," June said, looking at the expensive ice cream cone with gold leaves hanging from its side.

"You should have told me you were still broke," Minjun said, appearing to be enjoying the expensive ice cream.

June sighed and shook his head. At least the little kid was enjoying it!

Despite Minjun's reluctance, June was able to convince him to join for some ice cream. June even let Minun pick the ice cream place, but he quickly regretted it when he saw the price list inside the shop.

Now, they were sitting on a park bench, the sound of children's laughter filling the air.

"I'll probably get more money next month," June said. "I'll treat you to something like this again."

Minjun scoffed. "You're probably going to be very busy."

June pursed his lips and didn't respond since he, too, couldn't predict his schedule for the next year. It would definitely be a busy year, though—that was certain.

"So, uh, what are you up to these days?" June asked, making small talk.

Minjun sighed, leaning against the bench and observing the playing little kids. It seemed like yesterday when he was one of them, but now, he was halfway through 7th grade.

"Nothing much," Minjun responded. "Just school and stuff."

"You're not writing on MinMin anymore?" June asked. "You have over 700,000 followers the last time I checked."

Minjun bitterly chuckled. "What's the point? It's not fun anymore."

June's eyebrows raised in surprise. "I thought writing was the most fun for you back then."

"Well, it's different now," Minjun firmly said.

June pursed his lips and stayed silent, sensing the aggravation in Minjun's voice. This led June to think that something happened with the little kid.

He used to be so sweet (not really), so innocent (definitely not), and so loving (he loved watching June suffer), and now, he just seemed…lifeless.

"Hey, little kid," June said, breaking the awkward silence.

Minjun glared at him, finishing off his ice cream. "I'm not a little kid," he spat.

June rolled his eyes and also finished his ice cream before fully facing Minjun.

"Be honest with me," June said, looking into his eyes. "Are you okay?" he sincerely asked, his tone turning soft.

Minjun's gaze softened, and for a second, he looked like the innocent boy that June considered his precious little brother.

However, it was gone in an instant as Minjun broke their gaze.

"Why do you even care anyway?" he softly asked.

"Of course, I care," June exasperatedly said. "I'm worried. Your grandmother's worried, too. You know you can tell me anything, right? I'll help you with whatever."

Minjun sighed and stood up from the bench.

"Let's just go home," he said, changing the subject.

"Minjun," June said in a warning tone. "We're not going to leave here until you tell me what's wrong."

"What's the point?" Minjun snapped, glaring at June.

"You're all going to leave me anyway," he whispered the last statement, so June wasn't able to hear it.

"What was that?" June clarified.

"Nothing," Minjun said. "Let's go home."

"And I told you, we're not going home until—"

"Oh my gosh! That is June. June!"

"I thought I was hallucinating for a moment. June!"

"June? Goodness! I love you!"

June's eyes widened when he heard a bunch of screams coming near them. He turned to the side and saw a flock of young girls running over to where they were.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath before grabbing onto Minjun's hoodie and running away from the park.

The young boy allowed himself to be dragged until they made their way to a secluded alleyway in their neighborhood.

June paused for a moment and peeked from the wall, finally sighing in relief when he didn't see anyone running after them.

"I think we lost them," June said, still holding onto Minjun.

Minjun sighed and shook his head before removing June's hold from his shoulder.

"So, is it alright if we go home now?" the young boy asked.

June frowned, looking into his unreadable eyes.

"Until when are you going to act like this?" June asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You know you're giving your grandma a hard time, right?" June said in a reprimanding tone, hoping Minjun would snap out of it if he brought up his grandma.

However, Minjun merely rolled his eyes.

"Let her leave me alone then," he snapped, walking away from the alleyway.

June's frown deepened. "Minjun!" he scolded, but the young boy didn't bother turning around.

June was about to run after him when Fu suddenly showed up before him.

[Congratulations, you have stumbled upon a lucky mission!]

June groaned in frustration.

'Gosh, you always have such great timing, don't you?'

[Thank you, host.]

[Anyway, the title of your mission is Social Media King.]

June froze, already dreading the mission even before the details had been divulged.

[Social media is a must for all idols! With this in mind, here is your mission: Gain over 100,000 followers on your current Navel account. Make ''Hi_ImKittyJunexxR1s1ingSt4r5' rise to fame!]

June read the instructions with a blank stare. It has been such a long time since he used that account, so he almost forgot about it.

Now, looking at his username, June felt like he really did such a bad job making it. There was no wonder the public didn't take him seriously when he introduced himself in the account back then.

"Can't I change my username?" June asked.

[No changes, host. Keep the username as it is.]

"You're asking for the impossible," June whined. "I'm not even on Rising Stars anymore!"

Fu ignored his complaints and continued explaining the mission.

[This is a special mission with fun consequences and augmentations.]

"That tells me that it isn't going to be fun," June sighed.

[Fu has a few conditions for this mission:

1. The host must not get help from external sources. No follows from fellow teammates. No asking for help from other social media holders. The 100,000 followers must be organically farmed!

2. No changing of username. However, the host may change his username once the goal has been achieved.

3. No mention of your social media handle on other platforms. Use Navel and Navel only.]

"Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Since when did you give out conditions for regular missions?" June asked in exasperation.

[This is a special mission! Once the mission is achieved, the host will be given the opportunity to increase one skill stat. And here's the exciting part! Once the host accomplishes twice the given number in the mission, he will be granted a random skill from a wheel of skills!]

"What if I violate the conditions?" June asked.

[Violation of the conditions will result in a regression of skill by one grade.]